Gulfstream G150, D-CKDM, 6 February 2011
Gulfstream G150, D-CKDM
Summary:
A takeoff was attempted from Runway 25 at Northolt Airport, London. When the commander pulled the control column back to rotate at rotation speed, VR, and subsequently fully back, the aircraft only pitched up to 1º. The takeoff was rejected just before V2, full braking was applied and the aircraft came to a stop at the end of the paved surface. A fire broke out around the left mainwheels which was suppressed quickly by the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS).
The flight data showed that the aircraft’s acceleration during the takeoff roll was below normal but the investigation did not reveal any technical fault with the aircraft. The most likely explanation for the lack of acceleration and rotation was that the brakes were being applied during the takeoff, probably as a result of inadvertent braking application by the commander, which caused a reduction in acceleration and a nose-down pitching moment sufficient to prevent the aircraft from rotating. However, it could not be ruled out that another factor had caused partial brake operation.
One Safety Recommendation is made, concerning the provision of flight data recorder conversion information.
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